FCC

Bridgestone Empowers Rural Women through Sustainable Orchard Project

2025-06-10

Bridgestone India, in partnership with Sagest (Society for Environment and Agricultural Sustainability), has launched the Bridgestone Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project in Sulawad Village, Dhar District, Madhya Pradesh. This women-led initiative aims to drive environmental sustainability, improve nutrition, and generate livelihoods.

Spread over 4 acres, the orchard features 1,300+ fruit-bearing trees across 15+ varieties, planted using sustainable techniques with strong support from Bridgestone volunteers and the local community. In its first year, the project boasts a 96 per cent survival rate and has enabled women to manage a nursery of 1,000 saplings, and produce compost and organic pesticide from garden waste—encouraging organic farming and income generation. After maturity, the sale of fruits harvested will be a year-round source of income for the group of women who are managing the orchard.

In addition to strengthening livelihoods, the initiative is improving nutritional security in Sulawad village through the development of 251 household kitchen gardens, which provide families with fresh, home-grown vegetables and a more nutritious diet. Regular training and awareness programmes have fostered a sense of ownership, responsibility, and environmental consciousness among the villagers.

“True sustainability goes beyond business—it’s about empowering communities and protecting the planet. This project shows how women-led, community-driven action can create long-term impact on nutrition, livelihoods, and the environment. It’s not just about planting trees; it’s about planting hope, resilience, and a better future. This initiative beautifully demonstrates how community-driven, women-led environmental action can improve nutrition, generate income, and protect the planet — all at the same time.” said Hiroshi Yoshizane, Managing Director, Bridgestone India.

This is a unique initiative that showcases multi stakeholder involvement where apart from Bridgestone and its partner Sagest implementing the program, the local panchayat has given the land, local women are maintaining and managing it, adjacent residential government school staff and students supporting it. With its holistic approach to environmental sustainability, rural development, and women’s empowerment, Bridgestone India’s Nutritional Fruit Orchard Project stands as a model for how corporate responsibility can create lasting, community-led transformation.